Week 1 Session 1

Class Participation 1: Pictorial Sheet

Hello everybody,

This is all about me! I have three members in my family; an older sister and my mom. I live in a high rise building in Singapore a.k.a HDB building. I love Chinese food especially spicy food such as 麻辣 noodles and soup. Chrysanthemum (is a group of 11 girls)  that is an important part of my university life. 

Uses of computers and what it means to me:

The fast paced and competitive lifestyles has led us to strive to be ahead in time that may cause unnecessary stress and burnt out. Computers and technology have enabled us to be more efficient and is an important part of our lives. For instance, in the video it was mentioned that 1/8 people that are married met online. That is true as i have friends who have met their other halves online. The usage of social platforms has changed our (my) social life as it allows me to communicate with my family and friends when i misplaced my phone in Boston such as Facebook messenger and Skype. It is the most preferred way of communicating with our friends as well. For instance, Whats-app chat group.  We rely on technology for information and entertainment such as google and music videos (YouTube).

Class Participation 2: Six basic categories of computers

Embedded computer

An embedded computer is a system designed for specific control functions within a larger system, often with a real time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. It has a single chip that contains all of the elements that are essential for any computer. Embedded systems are mass produced and control many devices in common use today.

Examples: ATMs, cell phones, printers, thermostats, calculators, and videogame consoles, digital cameras.

Mobile devices

Small hand held computing device. Commonly has a display screen like touch screen. It is used everywhere even in companies.

Examples: Handphones, game consoles and playstation, digital video camera.

Personal computers

Any general purpose computers whose size and capabilities makes it useful for anytime and anywhere.

Examples: laptop, ipad.

Mainframe computers

Huge and generally large. High level of reliability and used mainly for transactions. Everything is stored in the mainframe and others can go the shared folders. 

Examples: ATM machines, credit card companies uses it to process bills. 

Supercomputers

Functions are very specialized. Niche. Processing speed is very fast.
Examples:  Calculation of weather forecast. 

Class Participation 3

Class Participation 4: Jigsaw for different computer

Asynchronous Online Communication Tools: 

• Does not require immediate response
• Uses online learning resources to facilitate information sharing outside the constraints of time and place among a network of people.
• Example: Group mates can exchange information on platforms such as google docs and emails

Synchronous Online Communication Tools:

• Requires immediate response
• Similar to asynchronous online communication tools
• Example: MSN messenger 

Social Bookmarking and Tagging:

• A method used to share and search for similar information online
• Example: hash tagging on twitter (#)

Social Networking: 

• Allows people of same interest/friends to communicate
• Platform for people to communicate and reconnect with each other
• Example: Facebook

Class Participation 5: Reflection about session 1

What I already know about today's lesson: 

• I.T can be used to teach/communicate with children and teachers.
• Human beings rely on technology such as computers and phones.
• Some childcare centres are already including I.T in their lessons/communication platforms.

What I want to lean about the next two lessons: 

• Specifically how centres have incorporated I.T to their curriculum. 
• How we can incorporate it as new teachers when we step into the working field.

What I learned today: 

• Different computer terminologies
• Embedded systems are in our devices such as phones and calculators.

What questions I have: 

• Would it create more workload for teachers if we were to include I.T in lessons and communication with parents?
• What if parents are not I.T savvy and are unable to access the same information that the rest of the parents do?
• What are some of the different ways we can use I.T?